Steven

Hunter

He appears to be day-to-day.

Hunter has a chance to start at center for the Magic, but he won’t be asked to do any scoring. ''Rebound, run and block shots. That’s it,’' coach Doc Rivers said. ''He has no offensive role at all.’'

In Hunter’s four starts, he has averaged 6.5 points, 6.2 rebounds and 1.5 blocks. Not great, not bad. His value to Orlando is that he is negating the numbers of better opposing centers. Yao Ming, Michael Olowokandi, Eddy Curry, and Dikembe Mutombo averaged 7.2 points, 5.5 rebounds and 1.5 blocks going up against Hunter.

He’s likely going to back up starting center Samuel Dalembert, meaning he won’t have much fantasy value.

The Suns need size, and Hunter still could develop into an adequate backup. The 2001 first-round pick has averaged 3.5 points and 2.5 rebounds in 145 career games.

The Magic went small for much of the game against the Mavericks, but when they did go to a center, it was Hunter who got the playing time.

Hunter needs to secure a visa, but otherwise it sounds like this is a done deal. He averaged 4.5 points and 3.2 rebounds in 400 NBA appearances.

Hunter played 32 minutes and could remain Orlando’s center heading into the playoffs.

Unfortunately, Hunter jammed a finger on his right hand on his final dunk and had his hand in a splint after the game. If he’s going to miss some time, Bo Outlaw would become Stoudemire’s backup.

The Suns want to keep four or five shooters on the court at all times, meaning that Hunter, Bo Outlaw, Jake Voskuhl and Jason Vroman have one spot to share. Hunter moved past Voskuhl as the first big man off the bench, giving him more opportunities than the rest of the Suns’ big men.